Philippines Stamps

Republic of the Philippines - Stamps & Postal History

RP Issues of 2011

2011, October 17. Marine Biodiversity (Definitives)

Litho Offset. APO Productions Unit. Perf. 14 1/4; Bar Code on Each Stamp.

Singles , Sheets of 100 (10 x 10)

   1p   Picasso Trigger - Singles   (8,040,000)

   2p   Marmorated Cone - Singles   (6,000,000)

   5p   Copperband Butterflyfish - Singles   (9,470,000)

10p   Triton Trumphet - Singles   (8,070,000)

20p   Bennett's Feather Star - Singles   (4,830,000)

30p   Eibl's Angelfish - Singles   (4,870,000)

Source: Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific by Dr. Terence Gosliner

First Day Covers: Manila



PICASSO TRIGGER (Rhinecanthus aculeatus). The Picasso Trigger is a magnificent and very popular aquarium species that is easily recognized by its creamy grayish-tan and white colored body splashed with many distinctive bright blue and yellow fine-line, and golden, black and white wide-band type markings. Average Size is 9 to 10 inches. This fish enjoys the shallower waters inside and outside the reef where lots of rocks and creviced structures are present to hide in and search for food from. (http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/triggerfishcare/p/propicassotrigg.htm)

MARMORATED CONE (Conus marmoreus). Also known as "marbled cone", is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cones. This is a species which is believed to feed mostly on marine molluscs including other cone snails. This snail is venomous, like all cone snails. However it is significantly less venomous than other cone snails, especially the fish-eating species, and poses no danger to humans. The size of an adult shell can vary between 30 mm and 150 mm. In this species, the shell color can range from black with white dots, to orange with white reticulations, so arranged as to expose the white in rounded triangular large spots. The aperture is white or light pink. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conus_marmoreus)

COPPERBAND BUTTERFLYFISH (Chelmon rostratus). Also commonly called the Beak Coralfish is found in reefs in both the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This butterflyfish is one of the three species in the genus Chelmon, all being known for having longer beaks. These fish are easily identified by the yellow banding and long snout, juveniles being similar to adults. They grow up to 20 cm in length. Found at depths of 1-25 metres either singly or in pairs, forming monogamous pairs during breeding. They are usually found on coral reefs or rocky shorelines, and also in estuaries and silty inner reefs. This species is territorial and oviparous. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copperband_butterflyfish)

TRITON TRUMPHET (Charonia tritonis).   A species of very large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Ranellidae, the tritons. The shell is well-known as a decorative object, and is sometimes modified for use as a trumpet (such as the Japanese horagai). One of the few animals that feeds on the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci. Occasional plagues of this large and destructive starfish have killed extensive areas of coral on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the western Pacific reefs. There has been much debate on whether such plagues are natural or are caused by over-fishing of the few mollusks and fish that can eat this starfish. In 1994, Australia proposed that Charonia tritonis should be put on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) list, thereby attempting to protect the species.   Because of a lack of trade data concerning this seashell, the Berne Criteria from CITES were not met and the proposal was consequently withdrawn. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charonia_tritonis)

BENNETT’S FEATHER STAR (Oxycomanthus Bennetti). This Feather Star is one of a multi-color diversity of Crinoids with a dense mass of arms, emerging from crevices in coral reefs, feeding on plankton in oceans of the Indo Pacific and the Pacific. This photograph was taken underwater in the Similan Islands off Thailand, a digitally-manipulated image resulting in abstract fine art. This echinoderm is in the species Comanthina schlegeli. (http://conaway.myexpose.com/view/?skip=12)

EIBL’S ANGELFISH (Centropyge eibli). Also known as the Red stripe angelfish, Orangelined angelfish, or Eibl dwarf angel is a species of marine angelfish found near reefs in the Indo-Pacific. It has a pearlescent body with several vertical orange to red stripes. The rear section of its body and caudal fin are black, with a sapphire-blue outline on the caudal fin. It reach a maximum length of 15 cm (6 in). It is a semi-aggressive omnivore. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacktail_angelfish)

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Marine Life

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Issues of 2011